Jim Ratcliffe looks to buy Manchester United. See who is he

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made a bid to buy football club Manchester United. He had also supported the club as a boy.

Ratcliffe has a reported net worth of £12.5 billion. The 70-year-old runs a successful global chemical company Ineos. The firm has enjoyed exponential growth since it was founded by him in 1998.

Ratcliffe has been chairman of the company for a long time and seen it grow from 400 employees to 26,000 people. It has an annual revenue of around £52.5 billion.


Over the years, the interests of Ineos have diversified to incorporate consumer brands and sports interests.

Ratcliffe, who was born in Failsworth in 1952, spent the first 10 years of life in the Greater Manchester town and developed a “quite deep-rooted” passion for the football club.

Ratcliffe studied chemical engineering at Birmingham University and did MBA from London Business School.



Before moving to Courtaulds, he began his career at Exxon Chemicals. In 1992, he led the buyout of Inspec Group plc. He also mortgaged his house to complete the deal.

Six years later, he went on to buy a plant in Antwerp, Belgium from Inspec for £84 million. This helped him to form Ineos. The firm has become a chemical giant now.

Ratcliffe also got knighthood in 2018 for his services to business and investment. In recent years, his company has formed a varied sporting portfolio.

Sir Ben Ainslie-led Ineos Britannia is Challenger of Record for 37th America’s Cup while Ineos Grenadiers is a professional cycling team.

Ineos is Mercedes Formula One team’s principal partner and New Zealand rugby union teams’ performance partner.

FAQs

1. When was Jim Ratcliffe born?
   Jim Ratcliffe was born in Failsworth in 1952.
2. Why is Jim Ratcliffe trying to buy Manchester United?
   Jim Ratcliffe is a lifelong Manchester United fan and has expressed interest in buying the club, which he has referred to as his boyhood club.